Are you wondering how to ask for your employer for a salary increase? Over on US News & World Report, I have a few tips and factors for you to consider: How to Ask for a Raise
Date: October 13th, 2011 / Author: Lindsay / No Comments »
Posted in Recruiting / Tags: career advice, job search, raise, salary increase, usn
We know the unemployment rate has been in turmoil for a while, and numbers from Bullhorn prove it so. Recently, the staffing and recruiting software company studied 16 million candidate profiles and more than 5 million job orders from 45,000 recruiters nationwide. Their findings? While things aren’t looking good overall, the decline in new jobs is worse for certain industries.
Art Papas, the CEO of Bullhorn, thinks this slowdown stems from a drop in business confidence caused by three things:
Industries like Education, Health Care and Construction have seen little to no drop in openings, probably because they’re more stable (and necessary) fields. And for us in the PR industry, it seems like every agency is hiring these days and business is on the rise.
The slowing of job openings affects everyone, on every level, looking for a job. Even PhD educators and those who’ve earned master’s degrees are finding the job market cutthroat these days. Fewer job openings means it’s harder for the 9.1% of the population that’s unemployed to find work. Job hunts are taking longer, and people on unemployment benefits are clinging to the pittance they receive while desperately seeking a job.
The major issue in unemployment is the long-term unemployment which accounts for 43 percent of the unemployed. These are people who have been out of work for at least six months and are still job seeking. Long-term unemployment means they are losing skills to keep them current with the market demands – creating a gap between the candidates qualifications and those the employer seeks.
Employers are seeing a flood of resumes for any given posting, many of whom are not qualified for the job they’re applying for. This is taking more time and energy than hiring has in the past.
It’s a lose/lose situation for both job hunters and employers, and it doesn’t seem to be getting any better any time soon.
While there’s not much we can do about any of these contributors to job order slowdown, you can do your best under the circumstances to increase your chances of finding a job and staying positive about the whole process.
Look beyond the industry you’ve worked in for your next employment. You may find the type of role you’re looking for in other industries that aren’t suffering as badly as, say, entertainment. Or you might find something else you’re qualified to do in other fields. In this economy, job seekers can’t afford to be too picky. While you might be hired for a job that’s far from your ideal, you can work with it for now and make your move later if you’re unhappy.
Consider other types of employment, like contracting, freelancing or part time work. Employers are looking for less commitment when it comes to hiring, so if you’re willing to forgo the health benefits or 40-hour workweeks, you might open up new job possibilities.
Don’t give up! While it’s frustrating to constantly skim job ads, all it takes is one job to end your frustrations. Take a break when at the computer for long periods, sending off cover letters and resumes. Take a walk and a deep breath, and come back to tackle the job with renewed energy.
Date: October 7th, 2011 / Author: Lindsay / 1 Comment »
Posted in Recruiting / Tags: economy, job market, job search
You’ve been interviewing with another company and just got an offer. Now it’s time to resign and your employer blindsides you with a counter offer. Promises for more money, a better title, new projects can be tempting, but may have unexpected consequences. On US News & World Report, I talk about what you should consider when you’re presented with a counter offer. Read it here: Think Carefully Before Accepting a Counter Offer
Date: October 5th, 2011 / Author: Lindsay / No Comments »
Posted in Recruiting / Tags: counter offers, job search, usn
Times are still tough, but the good news is hiring has picked up tremendously in the PR field in the past year. More employers are finding it difficult to source the right candidates for the job and are turning to recruiters to support their open positions. And as probably many agency PR professionals could attest, recruiter inquiries about making a job change are increasing at an alarming rate – especially for Sr. Account Executives, Account Supervisors, and Account Director levels.
If you are thinking about making a change, any edge you can use to get ahead in the job hunt is one well worth taking. And sometimes, even though hiring activity is increasing in the PR field, finding the perfect job isn’t so easy on your own. More job hunters are turning to recruiters now, because they have their finger on the pulse of the industry, and they often know about jobs you won’t find anywhere else.
Why do employers give recruiters secret access to jobs? Usually they want to fill a position quickly and keep the flood of applications from hitting the desk of the hiring manager who just doesn’t have the time to review every application. It could also be a case of a confidential replacement. The employer wants to be presented with the top few candidates who can fill the need, preselected and interested. This is a benefit to the candidate because you know the candidate pool is smaller and you are one of a few candidates being presented.
How to Find a Recruiter
Finding the right recruiter for your job hunt may take a little time up front, but it will be well worth it. Recruiters are either generalists or specialists, and they may focus on different geographical regions, so take that into consideration when searching.
Ask others in your industry (discreetly, if you’re not making it public that you’re looking to change jobs), and check Twitter to see other PR professionals’ recommendations or which agencies are posting interesting opportunities. LinkedIn is a good place to look up potential resources, too. Look for other people who have worked with a particular recruiter, and always ask their opinion. It’s a good idea to develop a relationship in advance – before you start looking for a job.
Building a Relationship
Consider the relationship with a recruiter part of your networking circle. Even if you’re not currently looking for a job, stay in touch, and make sure to update your information (contact info, job skills, etc) so that you stay on her radar when you’re ready to change jobs.
The key to getting help from recruiters is to be a good job candidate. Treat them the way you would a potential employer, and be open, up-front, responsive, and stick to your word. If your recruiter gives you advice, such as tweaking your resume or advice before an interview, listen. She knows what her client is looking for better than you do – it’s invaluable insight into the process.
Recruiters can give you a leg up during your job search, but they can’t help you if you’re not qualified for the position or cooperate during the process. Accept the responsibility of making sure you are an attractive job candidate, and the rest will be a breeze.
Date: October 3rd, 2011 / Author: Lindsay / 1 Comment »
Posted in Recruiting / Tags: job search, Recruiter, Recruiter Etiquette, Recruiting
The public relations industry is constantly changing. It seems like every day there are new tools to master. How can you make sure you’re up to speed when it comes to your next job interview?
Blogs
Industry learning opportunities are endless. One way to stay current about happenings in the public relations field is by reading blogs, both about public relations as well as the industry you want to work in.
How do you find the right blogs to read? Start with this list of the top 100 PR blogs and then choose the ones you like the best. Check out the links and blogrolls for each blog to find find other related sites and blogs to read.
Press releases
Searching for releases in your industry or areas of interest will give you topic ideas and domain knowledge to potentially share in an interview. By reading press releases, you can get ideas you can incorporate in the releases you write for your clients, too. While we’re on the subject, you should be reading all the recent releases from any agency or company you interview with before the interview.
Twitter
Follow both industry journalists and other PR folks on Twitter. Once you find someone to follow, check their Twitter Lists to see if they’ve categorized other industry people you should follow as well. Sites like Listorious and WeFollow allow you to search a category to follow new people. It’s a great place to start in following thought leaders.
When you’re in your next job interview, what will the hiring manager want you to know?
They expect you to be up to speed on changes in both public relations and the industry you want to work in. That means if Obama passed an economic stimulus package that affects physicians moving to electronic medical records and you’re applying for a job at a healthcare company, you better know all about it!
They expect you to know about the them. If they have a tagline, memorize it. If they have posted their mission statement, read it thoroughly. If you have the job description, you should understand it and have your questions prepared. Read through all their press releases – you should know about the company’s latest news and management hires. If asked, you should be able to name their top five clients. You should also have a general knowledge of the hiring manager’s background by checking out LinkedIn or doing a bit of internet research prior to the interview.
Hiring managers also like you to have diverse interests that will help in coming up with creative ideas and story angles. And every hiring manager in the public relations industry will expect better than average writing skills. Before the interview, prepare a few samples of your work and make sure they are relevant for the position.
Date: September 12th, 2011 / Author: Lindsay / No Comments »
Posted in Public Relations, Recruiting / Tags: Interview, job search, Public Relations
Here’s a quick round up of what I’ve been posting on US News & World Report’s On Careers blog.
You’ve found a job online that seems like it would be a great fit and exactly what you’d like to be doing at this point in your career. One problem – the company is asking for five years experience and you are pushing 20 years in your field. While you won’t always be successful getting your foot in the door, I’ve given some tips on how you can get past some of the initial judgements and have more success landing those interview. Read it here: How to Apply for a Job When You’re Overqualified.
The week I wrote about how as an interviewer you should be asking the right questions to find out if the position aligns with your goals. Read the 5 Questions to Ask the Hiring Manager for a few ideas to make a fully-informed decision about your next job.
Hooray for long weekends! Happy Labor Day!
Date: September 2nd, 2011 / Author: Lindsay / No Comments »
Posted in Recruiting / Tags: interviewing, job search, overqualified, questions, usn
Social media sites can be very useful if you’re looking for a job, but it isn’t a magic lamp that you can just pick up and rub and expect a job to appear. It takes some effort and planning to ensure that your efforts return rewards.
What Not to Do
Networking on social media needs to start long before you actually need work. Just suddenly appearing and asking for a job is a sure way to turn hiring managers and recruiters off, even if you’ve done your research and know who’s hiring. You should have an established profile and some relationships built before you begin to job hunt. I like it when people approach me on Twitter, Facebook and my blog to ask about positions, the difference lies in how the person approaches me.
Jumping into social media for the express purpose of contacting hiring managers will make you look desperate and is more likely to lose you potential jobs than give you a chance. Instead of starting when you’re desperate, get a head start on making use of social media by establishing visibility and relationships earlier. People are more willing to help and listen when they already know you.
Get Into Social Networking Early
Even if you don’t currently need work, make a point of being active on social networks anyway. This is the perfect time to build relationships and get to know people without needing something from them. Interaction is key when it comes to establishing a solid relationship, so make a point of talking with others instead of just at them. There are a few ways to create successful connections with other social media users, whether they are hiring managers or not.
Follow people who work for the company you are interested in working with. Don’t just watch them, however, take the time to actually talk to them. On Twitter, you can retweet their more interesting or useful posts, answer their questions or even ask them questions and discuss your mutual interests.
Other ways to start interacting with companies and their employees is to comment on the company blog and tweet or share the link on your favorite social media networks, or contact them via email. Once you get to know someone well enough on social media, moving to email or meeting up in-person if local is an easy step and could give you a leg up on the competition later when you need a job.
When You Need a Job
Ideally, you will have a well established social network by the time you are ready to start job hunting. If you are able, it may even be worth it to hold off on looking for a job for a little while in order to build up your network.
Once you’re ready, you can let your network know that you are in the market for a position. When reaching out, be specific and make it easy for people to help you. Let your network know about what kind of opportunity interests you, or even the specific companies. If you know that a particular hiring manager has an opening or if you are particularly interested in working for them, reach out directly to that person.
Some companies have very strong referral programs where existing employees can recommend you for an open position. If you know someone within the company, ask them about the opening. Asking for the recommendation is a big favor, though, so make sure you ask someone who has really connected with you and has some experience with your work.
Keep in mind that anyone you ask about work should already have a relationship with you. Unless you are reaching out to an industry recruiter or the HR department, people generally don’t respond positively being asked for favors by strangers, so make sure you know the person you are asking and that they know who you are.
It takes time to build relationships and these should ideally be relationships that will last even if they can’t help you find work. People tend to know when they’re being used, so keep it real and be genuine in your friendship. Even online, this matters and sincerity could make all the difference in whether you get a job or not.
Date: August 24th, 2011 / Author: Lindsay / 1 Comment »
Posted in Recruiting / Tags: job search, social media
You’ve heard the advice that you should start a blog in order to help you find a job. It’s not always feasible to write a blog as Alison explains, so don’t sweat it if you don’t have one. Many other tools exist that will help you maintain a professional presence online that recruiters and hiring managers can find.
Here are a few:
About.Me
Think of About.Me as a visually appealing resume with links to click on. Users can provide an overview of who they are, as well as link to their social networking pages, LinkedIn profile, websites, etc. You can include a photo of you, which is a nice touch to give recruiters a visual connection to you.
The great thing about About.Me is that you can use it to funnel in all types of people to one spot. All your different social media and personal links are found on one page, which keeps you from having to list half a dozen URLs on your resume. Another perk? It’s free.
The drawback is that you can’t really include your entire resume; it’s more a place to give a sense of who you are rather than the whole enchilada. Visitors still have to click on the different links to learn more.
Tumblr
If you don’t have time to blog, consider Tumblr your “mini blog.” You can write blurbs on professional and industry topics you’re interested in easily, as well as share links, videos and photos. A hiring manager can view this as your interest and knowledge on a topic; it’s especially good if you don’t have a lot of job experience in an industry. It shows that you’re proactive in learning about your desired field of work.
The disadvantage is the same as the benefit; if you’re trying to score a job that requires solid writing skills, recruiters might not see Tumblr as a reliable indicator of your writing ability.
Social Networking
Social networking tools like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter are also good replacements for a blog in the job hunt. You can share posts and news, engage in conversations, follow topic hashtags like #PRJobs or #HAPPO to find jobs, or follow recruiters and HR staff. You might find out about a job before it’s even posted to the site if you maintain relationships through social channels.
Keep in mind that having a presence on social media requires a lot of effort; if you’re not active, you’re invisible, and you won’t find a job that way.
The key to being found online is to be there. Work to update these channels daily and connect with hiring managers and recruiters. Build the relationships before you need them so you don’t seem desperate for a job.
Date: August 8th, 2011 / Author: Lindsay / No Comments »
Posted in Recruiting / Tags: blog, job search, online job search, social media
“A button can be beautiful?” asked a skeptical Susan.
“Oh yeah!” beamed a confident Jesse.
It was at this moment that Jesse had Susan. He’d been muddling through the meeting, but this burst of bravura, energy and passion was sincere and infectious—a gust of fresh wind that won him the contract to redesign SusanDavis.com.
Similarly, when I myself interviewed with Susan, things coasted along for the first 15 minutes. She asked about my experience; I provided conventional answers. Then she deployed her pet question: “If you were an animal, what would you be?”
”That’s easy,” I grinned. “I’d be a dog.” It was at this moment that I had Susan. With great pride and obvious pleasure, I regaled her with stories of my miniature schnauzer, Wyatt.
One final example. I was one of three interviewing a potential subcontractor for a Defense Department project. It was clear this husband-and-wife team could do the job, but they lacked fire in the belly. And because it wasn’t clear that they really wanted the gig, it wasn’t clear if they’d be fun to work with.
Sensing this, my boss’s boss changed direction and pinged the pair with the following question: “Can you tell us about any of your extracurricular activities that relate to the military?”
The husband tilted his chair back, searched his memory, then tilted forward. “Sure,” Chris said, as he proceeded to uncork a heartfelt narrative about a recent weekend when he was home playing video games. When his wife returned, she told him about a veterans charity she had just read about. The story so moved Chris that he dropped his controller and stayed up all night voluntarily coding for the nonprofit.
“If these guys can sacrifice their lives for their country, I can sacrifice a night’s sleep,” he said with a gleam in his theretofore sleepy eyes. It was at this moment that he had us.
To an artist like Jesse, attention to the seeming minutia of Web design was no big deal. To a PR guy like me, naming five national reporters mattered more than discussing my dog. To an engineer like Chris, proposals ought to be won or lost on their merits, not on what the bidders do in their spare time.
Yet what all three of us failed to appreciate was the import of passion. Fortunately, we each were tossed a soft ball to rectify this. Not everyone is so lucky. It shouldn’t take prompting to light your fuse.
Passion, of course, isn’t a substitute for talent. It is, however, a key differentiator, revealing what makes you tick, what drives you, what you’re capable of achieving in the right circumstances. To exude such enthusiasm is to show character. To withhold it is to be average.
So, the next time you’re in an important meeting—be it an interview, a sales pitch, even a date—relax that uncomfortable façade, slacken your stilted smile, and unbottle your passion. No doubt, you’ll be more comfortable. And more successful.
Jonathan Rick, a social media strategist in Arlington, Va, blogs at No Straw Men and tweets at @jrick.
Date: August 1st, 2011 / Author: Lindsay / No Comments »
Posted in Public Relations / Tags: guest post, job search, jonathan rick, passion
In hard economic times, job seekers often apply for more than one role at the same company. While at first glance, this may seem to increase your odds, it may actually hurt them. Read on.
What Recruiters Think
The danger of applying for many jobs with the same company is that recruiters may feel like you haven’t really reviewed the job requirements, and this can give you a bad mark. If there are sincerely several positions that you’re interested in and qualified for, that’s one thing, but recruiters may feel like you’re desperate for a job and that you don’t really care about the role(s) you’re applying for.
I like what Marsha Freedman says about overapplying: “make sure that every application you submit conveys authenticity in terms of your ability and desire to do the job.”
When to Overapply
Sometimes, applying for multiple roles is acceptable. If a company has several communications positions available, it’s acceptable to apply for them. A larger company may have openings for a roles in different areas of communications and if you possess qualifications in employee communications and media relations, it would make sense to apply for multiple roles since they are addressing different areas of the communications department. But don’t apply for marketing, finance and admin roles. It looks bad on your part.
Same goes for PR agency jobs. Because a PR agency hires mostly PR people, you’ll probably find several openings that match your interests. Don’t apply to each one individually. Be selective and pick those that are most relevant to your expertise.
If the company has several openings, rather than applying to ten in one sitting, explain your interest in your cover letter. Mention that you are interested in several positions and list them out. Explain why you are applying for more than one role (get that big elephant out of the room).
Ensure that your skills truly are a solid fit for the roles. Don’t apply for multiple jobs just to “increase your chances.” You really won’t. And like Marsha said, only apply for jobs you’d love having.
But You Really, Really Want the Job!
If you truly think a role is ideal for you but you don’t hear back, follow up with an email to see if the recruiter or hiring manager has chosen a candidate. If you were told you weren’t chosen after an interview, you can always ask why. You might not be exactly what they were looking for internally, through no fault of your own and you might get some additional helpful feedback.
Even if you weren’t selected, always thanks the recruiting or hiring manager for the consideration and ask to be kept in mind for similar roles in the future. Make sure they know you are serious about wanting to work for their company, not just any company.
Date: July 26th, 2011 / Author: Lindsay / No Comments »
Posted in Recruiting / Tags: job search
This blog is to share my recruiting experiences and discuss thoughts on the job market, PR industry and technology.
I'm an entrepreneur, business developer and recruiter.
Learn more about me here.
Alison Kenney is an independent PR practitioner with more than 15 years of PR consulting experience.
Learn more about Alison Kenney.
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